BRISBANE, Australia—Ann Thompson was awarded the Order of Australia for her dedication to music. She came to see the matinee session of the Shen Yun Performing Arts Company at the Lyric Theatre Wednesday June 2 and was glad she had been able to make time amongst her busy schedule.

“I loved the orchestra, it was just wonderful, and the costumes were absolutely spectacular”.

Mrs. Thompson owns and manages Medici Concerts, an annual series of piano recitals with top international artists, a service which has kept lucky Brisbane audiences abreast of the world’s top musicians.

She thought the colours in the costumes were “amazing” and she loved the Shen Yun dancers.

“You know you just get over one dance and you think well, you know it couldn’t be better than this, and then another one comes like that.

“If you just came for that handkerchief dance, then your life is absolutely enhanced, it was enthralling,” she said.

In Handkerchiefs performers twirl and toss brilliant green and gold cloths in an amazing array of moves.

She mentioned also the Lantern dance, a vibrant dance of colour and movement using large paper lanterns

“The lanterns, when they just twirled like that, and the artistry is second to none.”

Tanya Tintner, widow of distinguished conductor Georg Tintner, and a cellist in her own right, also enjoyed Shen Yun and was particularly impressed with innovative approach of Shen Yun, particularly with the digital backdrops.

“I mean basically you have got a backdrop and graphics, and they have managed to meld real dancing, real people, with figurative ones. It was really seamlessly done, it was really lovely,” she said.

Mrs. Thompson agreed saying “I think the production is just superb, with the graphics and the way they …sort of swing through behind.”

Shen Yun presents performing arts and tales from China’s five thousand year history, an aspect of the company’s performance that she appreciated.

Mrs. Thompson appreciated the historical aspects.

“They were well done, but also some educational experience … I am ignorant about, so it’s good to be introduced to it in this way, and then to go away and learn more about it”

She was referring not only to the historical pieces but also to the contemporary scenes which depict the persecution of Falun Gong in China, an injustice that continues to this day.

Mrs. Thompson said Shen Yun’s performance was at once “professional” and “extremely moving” saying she had been moved to tears many times.

“It’s a spectacular production,” she said “… it was so enthralling, and I think it’s something that you revisit over and over.”

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts.

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